You don’t always have to know exactly what you want to eat before choosing a restaurant that suits your taste buds. At Classic Burger Café No. 5, in Buena Park, visitors can make their choices from an assortment of delicious and inexpensive foods – and oh how many choices there are. The most doubtful guest is destined to find something that intrigues them while still staying within a budget.

Classic Burger, about five minutes from Biola, has food from all over the globe. Their staggering assortment of selections is their best asset, but their prices are fantastic, too. Enjoy hand- rolled taquitos, a fried burrito or a chicken taco for less than $3 each. A classic gyro sandwich brings in some Greek cuisine for under five bucks. Dominating the menu are traditional American-style options. With over 10 choices of burgers, 15 sandwich choices and sides like fried zucchini, fried mushrooms and mozzarella sticks, visitors don’t ever have to try the same things twice, and the minimal impact it makes on their wallets keeps them coming back.

Al and Mary-Catherine Plies, relatives of mine and residents of Buena Park, Calif., strolled into Classic Burger Café for the first time. After splitting a pancake breakfast special, they sat in a booth and pleasantly discussed, over coffee, how impressed they were by the prompt service and inexpensive food. They would be coming back.

The service was indeed pleasant and speedy. Refills came fast and requests were met briskly. Everyone working smiled and seemed to be enjoying themselves. The manager, Silvia, was friendly and personable, greeting the customers as they walked to the order counter. She likes to get to know the customers by name and build relationships with regulars. Classic Burger truly has their door open to people in the neighborhood. Common guests are city employees, firefighters and policemen. This place works for people of all ages and backgrounds looking for a good meal.

As far as food goes, Silvia says the breakfast is very popular, especially because it is served all day. My breakfast omelet with fresh vegetables was very good, but the hash browns were especially savory. Fried to a golden crisp with thick chunks of potatoes, they were pleasantly different from the thin, unsubstantial slivers usually found in hash brown plates. I ate them in minutes, hardly leaving room for my entrée. One popular breakfast special is the pancake special, including two fat pancakes, three eggs and two thick bacon strips or sausage links for only $4.39.

The building itself faces Alondra Boulevard., closely intersecting Stage Road. A drive-thru on the side of the building offers quick service for rushed customers. Inside is a large open dining hall, where visitors wait for their food after ordering at the front desk.

Happy faces, good prices and tasty food are enough to please most any guest, especially college students low on cash.